Celebrate National Salad Month at Basta Pasta!
While many favorite Italian cuisine items are eternal, after all a nice bowl of spaghetti and meatballs is good any night of the year, the warmer spring and summer seasons require lighter fair. For many, this comes in the form of salad. Read on for some fun, delicious salad recipes to try out this National Salad Month and all summer long.
Shrimp And Radish Salad
Seafood is not just for the feast of the seven fishes, and it is a great protein addition to many different types of salad. One that you might want to try pairs the salty shrimp flavor with the kick of two different radishes. Chop sauteed shrimp and add to a bowl with some salad greens and thinly sliced watermelon radish and French Breakfast radishes. Finally, top with a dressing that combines ¼ cup orange juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 2 tablespoons of mayo.
Tomato And Fruit Salad
Combine slices of three varieties of tomatoes (green tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and baby heirloom tomatoes) with sliced seasonal fruit, including watermelon, nectarines, peaches, honeydew, plums, and cantaloupe. Tear up 6-8 basil leaves and gently mix into the salad. Dress the whole thing with a basil-orange vinaigrette and serve.
Peanut Coleslaw
Most people don’t think of coleslaw as a salad, but it definitely is, and this recipe is super simple and delicious. It starts with packaged coleslaw mix (usually a variety of shredded cabbage), to which you add green onions and chopped cilantro, and a slaw dressing that mixes vinegar, sesame oil, mayo, fresh ginger, salt, sugar, pepper, and wasabi paste. Right before you serve it, stir in lightly roasted peanuts for a salty kick that compliments the bite of the slaw dressing.
Summer Rice Salad
If you’re looking for a light but hearty summer salad, look no further. This salad pairs basmati rice, cabbage, cucumbers, red bell pepper, green onion, chives, mint, and parsley. Slice or chop the ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. Top them with an oil and vinegar dressing that includes minced shallot, white wine vinegar, lime juice and zest, dijon mustard, honey, and olive oil.
Tortellini Salad Skewers
We had to include a salad that had pasta and this is delicious and fun since it takes the salad out of the bowl. Each small skewer will get one cooked tortellini, half a grape tomato, and one lightly steamed sugar snap pea. Marinate them for four hours in a light champagne vinaigrette or a mustard-dill vinaigrette, then drain and serve.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL SALAD MONTH AT BASTA PASTA
For more than 12 years, Basta Pasta has given Maryland diners delicious Italian food made from local and fresh ingredients. Enjoy delicious pasta dishes, unlimited salad and breadsticks, and fine wine at one of our locations in Timonium, Fallston, or Eldersburg. Contact us online or give us a call at the location-specific phone number listed here. Read our menu and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! You can also order our signature crab cakes online and enjoy delicious Basta Pasta from home!